Effect of household animal production on household meat consumption in rural Bangladesh.

摘要

Background. Malnutrition is a public health problem in Bangladesh, as indicated by the high prevalence of stunting and micronutrient deficiencies. Including greater quantities of animal source foods (ASFs), particularly meat, in the diet is a recommended strategy for combating undernutrition. Promotion of household animal production has been suggested as a way to increase ASF consumption. This strategy may be appropriate for rural Bangladesh, however, understanding how animal production strategies may impact ASF consumption is crucial to decisions about implementing such strategies.;Objective. The objective of this study is to examine the relationships between animal production and household meat consumption among households with young children in rural Bangladesh.;Methods. Data on diet, animal production and household characteristics were collected in 360 households in rural Bangladesh. Household consumption of different types of meat and fish is modeled as a function of demographic and socio-economic traits and whether the household produced the corresponding type of animal. A second set of models describes household consumption of each type of meat among producers of the corresponding animal as a function of socio-economic and demographic traits and descriptors of animal production strategy.;Results. Most households produced at least one type of animal. Though 81 percent of households consumed some meat or fish, the quantities consumed were very low. Very few households consumed meat other than fish. In the controlled analyses, fish production was related to fish consumption. Production of other types of animals was not related to consumption of the corresponding types of meats.;Conclusions. Household wealth, location and the type of animal being produced have important modifying effects on the relationship between animal production and meat consumption. With the possible exception of fish production, promoting animal production in rural Bangladesh is not likely to be an effective means of directly increasing meat consumption. Promotion of animal production to increase ASF consumption should not be pursued without further interdisciplinary research describing the impacts of production of different types of animals on household ASF consumption in specific locations and populations.